The Star-News

A link to good deeds

Sat, Sep 17 2011 12:00 PM Posted By: Richard Pena

I think that most of us, as we muddle through life, have a number of characteristics that are due to repeat themselves year after year.

For me it seems to be the realization that quite suddenly September is upon us. Here we have been going along, enjoying whatever it is that this year's summer has brought us, and before we know it, here is September telling us that everything is going to change.

In my case, I would suspect that such things are rather natural. For much of my adult life I was bound to a profession that revels in the summer season.

As a working school person I was no different than those charges of mine, anticipating that last day of school and then the glorious three months of summer that was ahead. Alas, it seemed that before we really got into the spirit of summer here came stern September reminding us that play time was over; it was a time to turn-to and get back to work.

It would seem that I am implying that for me it is going to be a tote that barge, lift that bale type of occupation. Happily, it is nothing like that. The nearest we come to hard labor is writing about those who take up the mantle of necessary occupations. And in this particular case it is not about labor at all, unless we wish to include labors of love.

Last week we reported on one of these, that is, the beginning of the Sweetwater Woman's Club new year. Today we come across another September function that has been with us, perhaps not like the woman's club 100 years, but certainly enough years to qualify it as a tradition.

For the 31st year the Bonita Kiwanis Club will stage their annual golf tournament. This function is set for the afternoon of Friday, Sept. 23, 2011 at the Bonita Golf Club.

I have to admit that I have a sentimental feeling toward this golf tournament. I was rather active with it in its beginning and saw it blossom into one of the most popular tournaments in the South Bay. For one thing it is well staged, at one of the finer golf courses in the area. The playing conditions are excellent, the format, a Texas scramble, is fun to play and then the banquet and ceremonies are most enjoyable.

It is a relaxing afternoon for the golfer and also for the occasional duffer who wants to treat himself after the rigors of the work week.

It is, of course, a fundraiser for the Kiwanis Club. The club is a viable part of the service club contingent in Bonita. Its aid to others in the community and also worldwide is legend. The local club has joined the Worldwide Service Project in working to virtually eliminate iodine deficiency disorder, that is the world's leading cause of mental retardation.

The locals have also joined other clubs in helping to eliminate neo-natal tetanus and maternal tetanus by 2015.

On the local scene the Kiwanis Club promotes various youth endeavors, the Boys and Girls Club, for example, the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts as well as the K-Kids Clubs at Marshall, Allen and Wolf Canyon Elementary Schools. For many years the club has given annual scholarships to graduates of Palomar High School, an alternative high school for "at risk" students. They also support many more projects, most of them aimed at school children, but also some for the benefit of the elders in the community.

The club has also been rather instrumental in making holidays a bit better for some families. Each year, at both the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays the club has dispensed hundreds of pounds of food direct to the homes of some folks who may not have the funds to adequately provide for themselves.

We are assured by two of the tournament leaders, Bill Sears and Randy Bellamy that all the monies realized from the golf tournament will go toward the above projects and many more.

The tee-off time, a shotgun start will be at 1 p.m. Golfers may sign up at the Bonita Golf Club. More particulars may be obtained from Bellamy at 370-9581 or e-mail him at rjbellamy@att.net. The golfer will be supporting a very worthwhile project and having an enjoyable afternoon at the same time.